Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra
Events & News
Register for Winter Session!
Register for our Winter Session today! Great music is planned for Youth Symphony Orchestra and North Star Strings. Click the button below to go to register.
Auditions will be scheduled on a case by case basis for Winter Session. Students may be asked to submit a video audition in lieu of an in-person audition. Follow the link for more information.
Rehearsals begin Sunday, January 8, 2023 and scholarships are available.
Questions? Contact Dave Stordalen at info@mayso.net
MAYSO Fall Concerts: Evening of Roses
Saturday, November 12, 2022 | 2:00 PM
Le Sueur High School, 901 Ferry St, Le Sueur, MN 56058
Sunday, November 13, 2022 | 3:00 PM
Trinity Chapel, Luther Dr, Mankato, MN 56001
These performances will be the premier of Evening of Roses a piece commissioned by MAYSO and arranged by local composer Benji Inniger. They will also feature works of and inspired by baroque composers. Free admission with donations accepted at the door.
Previous Events
Summer Session Concert: Spy Games
Sunday, June 12, 2:00 PM
Sigurd K. Lee Theater, Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center, Bethany Lutheran College
Free admission with donations accepted at the door
Spring Concerts: Symphonic Sensations
Saturday, March 12, 2022 | 2:00 P.M.
Gibbon, Fairfax, Winthrop High School
1001 Cottonwood St
Winthrop, MN 55396
Sunday, March 13, 2022 | 3:00 P.M.
Trinity Chapel, Bethany Lutheran College
Luther Dr
Mankato, MN 56001
Fall Concerts: Women's Work
Saturday, November 13 | 2:00 p.m.
Blue Earth Area Senior High School
1125 N Grove St
Blue Earth, MN 56013
Sunday, November 14 | 3:00 p.m.
Loyola Catholic School
145 Good Counsel Dr
Mankato, MN 56001
Ensembles
North Star Strings (NSS) is our introductory strings only orchestra. The goal of this ensemble is to introduce students to ensemble playing and help develop note reading. Students in this orchestra should have a minimum of 1 year of private lessons and should be able to read music. All students who apply are accepted into this ensemble.
Youth Philharmonic (YP) is our intermediate ensemble open to wind, percussion, and string musicians. YP students can expect to see more challenging key signatures (up to 4 flats or sharps), challenging rhythms, and shift into higher positions. These students will typically have between 3-6 years of experience on their instrument and may have prior ensemble experience.
Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) is our most advanced ensemble offered to wind, percussion, and string musicians. YSO students will typically 4 or more years of experience on their instrument and have had prior ensemble experience. Repertoire for YSO will be selected from advanced high school or introductory collegiate level works.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestras is to educate young musicians in a professional symphony atmosphere, to give opportunity to perform a wide variety of symphonic music, and to provide a variety of music education formats. It is our purpose to help prepare the young musician for participation in the world of symphonic music, either as a professional musician or as a patron of the arts.
The Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra has been presenting concerts in our communities and teaching students since 1963.
We now offer several unique opportunities for students to play music including the Youth Symphony Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic, North Star Strings, Chamber Orchestra, Summer Pops Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble